Paducah was formally established as a town in 1830 and incorporated as a city by the state legislature in 1838.[2] By this time, steam boats traversed the river system and its port facilities were important to trade and transportation. In addition, railroads began to be developed that entered the region. A factory for making red bricks, and a foundry for making rail and locomotive components became the nucleus of a thriving "River and Rail" economy. It became the site of dry dock facilities for steamboats and towboats, and thus headquarters for many barge companies.
At the outset of the Civil War, Kentucky attempted to take a neutral position. However, when a Confederate force occupied Columbus, a Union force under General Ulysses S. Grantresponded by occupying Paducah. Throughout most of the war, Col. Stephen G. Hicks was in charge of Paducah, and the town served as a massive supply depot for Federal forces along the Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee river systems.
On January 21, 1937, the Ohio River at Paducah rose above its 50-foot flood stage, cresting at 60.8 feet on February 2 and receding again to 50-feet on February 15. For nearly three weeks, 27,000 residents were forced to flee or to stay with friends and relatives in higher ground in McCracken or other counties. The American Red Cross and local churches provided some shelters. Buildings in downtown Paducah still bear plaques that define the high water marks.
Driven by 18 inches of rainfall in 16 days, along with sheets of swiftly moving ice, the '37 flood was the worst natural disaster in Paducah's history. The earthen levee was ineffective against this flood, and as a result, Congress authorized the United States Army Corps of Engineers to build the flood wall that now protects the city.
In 1950, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission selected Paducah as the site for a new uranium enrichment plant. Construction began in 1951 and the plant opened for operations in 1952. Originally operated by Union Carbide, the plant has changed hands several times. Martin Marietta, its successor company Lockheed-Martin, and now the United States Enrichment Corporation have operated the plant in turn. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), successor to the AEC, remains the owner.
On April 25, 1991, the National Quilt Museum opened in downtown Paducah. The museum is a cultural destination that annually attracts an international collection of more than 40,000 quilters and art enthusiasts to the Paducah area. The museum features professional quilt and fiber art exhibits that are rotated throughout the year. It is the largest single tourist attraction in the city.
For over 30 years, Paducah has been host to one of the largest Quilt Shows in North America, QuiltWeek Paducah. On November 21, 2013, UNESCO designated Paducah the world's seventh City of Crafts and Folk Art.[12
We explored Paducah by first visiting the Tourist Center that opened at 10 am. There were were given information about the city and received a coupon worth $1 off admission to the National Quilt Museum, our major reason for visiting Paducah. This is definitely worth the $9 price of admission for a senior (with the $1 off coupon). The quilts displayed are definitely works of art requiring countless hours of work. Many were hand quilted.
Following the visit to the quilt museum, we visited a small distillery called the Silent Brigade at 426 Broadway. There we met the owner who showed us his small copper stills and explained his unique distillates. He also gave us tastings of several of his "moonshines" and brandies.
We decided to eat lunch before leaving Paducah and we were very glad that we did. Kirchoff's Bakery has delicious artisan breads, a great coffee shop and some of the best sandwiches we have had at remarkably low prices. I would definitely recommend this place to eat if you visit Paducah.
We then drove westward through St. Louis, trying to get as far west as we could before resting for the evening. We made it to Springfield, MO where we got a Holiday Inn Express for the evening.
Distance traveled today was 462 miles.
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